Documenting Text-Based Information

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Description of Tool or App

Notability is a tool that allows individuals to take notes, annotate pdf's, create audio recordings, and put media content into files, or notes. It integrates with many cloud-based services for storage of notes. Notes can be shared with others, making this a robust tool for students and teachers. It may be used to support class-based instruction, to organize research, annotate research, or create class notes. Currently, Notability is available in the iTunes Store for $1.99.

Benefits of Tool or App

  • Annotate any document, including pdf's.
  • Ability to type, write using a finger or stylus, highlight, insert media (figures, stickies, photos, web clips).
  • Cut out handwritten text and copy to another note.
  • Palm-rest available when using a stylus.
  • Record and playback audio.
  • Record and sync recording with typed text (when playing back, will highlight the typed text with the point in the recording at which the text was typed).
  • Can export notes by Email, Dropbox, Google Drive, twitter, WebDav, Box, Print, iTunes, or open the note in another app on the device, such as iBooks, Nook, or Kindle.
  • Autosync to Dropbox or Google Drive available (automatically back up your notes).
  • Has a left-handed mode.
  • Check spelling of typed entries.
  • File size is unlimited.
  • Web clipping feature for articles, photos, etc.
  • Folder organization options include date modified, alphabetically, and date created.
  • Robust search feature.

Constraints of Tool or App

  • Notability only works on iOS (Apple iPad only); there is no equivalent for Android or Windows devices.
  • High learning curve, due to the amount of app features.
  • Syncing of recording does not work with handwritten text.
  • When exported, notes lose recorded syncing feature.

How To Use Tool or App

View the screencast below to get an idea of how to use Notability. This demo was created using Screencast-O-Matic and the Reflector app.


Help for Notability may be found within the app on the Notability user guide note, or at Notability Help

Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)

Model of an exported note

Below is a Dropbox link that has an audio and video recording of notes taken in class.
Note with audio created in notability

Model of an annotated PDF

Below is an annotated pdf link of Schwandt, T. A. (1994). Constructivist, interpretivist approaches to human inquiry. Handbook of qualitative research (1994) Denzin, Norman K.; Lincoln, Yvonna S. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications., 118-137.
Annotated PDF

IDEAS for Tool or App

Student

  • Take notes in class using typing, writing, and record features.
  • Share notes and audio recordings taken in class with classmates using Dropbox or Google Drive.
  • Annotate pdf's as you are reading.
  • Organize course materials by topic, etc.

Teacher

  • Post class notes of important topics covered in class.
  • Record audio and create custom notes for class concepts.
  • Do qualitative research using the application.
  • Annotate pdf's as you are reading them.
  • Create a tutorial with pictures, text, and audio for your class.

Business Institutions

  • Take notes during meetings while simultaneously recording audio of speaker/presenter.
  • Annotate pdf's as you are reading them.
  • Organize files/notes by project or department.
  • Share notes through Google Drive or Dropbox for access outside of the office.